Etymology

Greek:

leios = smooth

muV = (myo) mouse or muscle

oma = tumor

Latin:

Fibra = fiber

Uterine leiomyomata

Uterine fibroids are leiomyomata of the uterine smooth muscle. As other leimyomata, they are benign, but may lead to excessive menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), often cause anemia and may lead to infertility. Enucleation is removal of fibroids without removing the uterus (hysterectomy), which is also commonly performed. Laser surgery (called myolysis) is increasingly used, and provides a viable alternative to surgery.

Urine leiomyomas originate in the myometrium and are classified by location:

Submucous – lie just beneath the endometrium.

Intramural – lie within the uterine wall.

Subserous – lies at the serosal surface of the uterus or may bulge out from the myometrium and can become pedunculated.

Esophageal

They are also the most common benign esophageal tumour, though this accounts for less than 1% of esophageal neoplasms. The remainder consists mainly of carcinomas.